Vtecmec's 4th Gen

[eDaniel]

Amazing! You are a maniac, sir Hats off

[SPYDOR]

Just finished reading the entire thread this week, after a recommendation on another renovation thread I was reading.

+rep. I read a lot of these type of threads but this is hands-down the best so far. Your ability and courage to tackle pretty much any job going is very impressive and all your tips and advice on rust removal are greatly appreciated. Even making a lazy bum like me consider cleaning up some of the bad bits underneath my car!

Keep up the great work, can't wait to see it when its all finished!

[Vtecmec]

Thank you for kind words all. After 5 years I think can now see the finish line, which could be 4-6 weeks away to MOT.

[wurlycorner]

which could be 4-6 weeks away to MOT.

Really?
Resprayed and everything?

[Vtecmec]

Not repainted, but I'll need an MOT to get it to a suitable paint location. Everything else should be sorted though.

[NafemanNathan]

Can't wait!... For you ...

[Fons[DutchGuy]]

dude, as stated before, but I've been reading the whole thing now. Out of this world
This kind of restoration is normal on a very rare old-timer not on a jap car from the 90's, so much respect for that!!!!

[Vtecmec]

Did I say 4-6 weeks? Things never go as fast as I would like, I should apply a 300% optimism bias factor to my time estimates ; still there’s some progress, and progress is progress….

So I painted the subframe in an undercoat.



And then a nice top coat.



For no good reason I can think of, I also cleaned all the plastic clips and rubbers.



So that’s that, and onto the steering rack, as it was.



So I hit it with a wire wheel to remove most of the crap, part way through…..



And then treatment of the rusty bits.



Leaving me with this.



Some other stuff that needed derusting.



Followed by a collective paint session.







I’ve removed the driveshafts in preparation of the gearbox swap, one came undone reasonably easily, but the other just would not budge, whilst trying to remove it I managed to break a 1 inch ratchet that I have had for 20 years , which has seen me through bottom pully swaps and all sorts. So butchery seemed the only option.





Desperately wanting to see the roads this summer, I have cut my cloth accordingly, and decided to leave the front hub alone until much later, let’s say it’s a homage to the rust bucket this car once was. I’ve still swapped out the balljoints though; I felt a little dirty putting the new parts in.



Out with the old lower ball joint.



And in with the new.



Now back to the rack and fitting new inner rod ends, here just before tightening and crushing the lock washer.



Then onto fitting the rack into the subframe.





Ta da, with the outer rod ends fitted too.



All the driveshaft boots were cracked and needed replacing, so before doing so I derusted and painted just for the hell of it, though they did look pretty grotty and I’m not sure the boots would have sealed too well over the rust.



And some paint.



I have also derusted the lower part of the front suspension legs where the subframe bolts onto, and hopefully should be fitting that soon. And I’ve also swapped the front springs onto the new shocks ready for fitting.

[SPYDOR]

WOW! That picture where you refitted the steering rack into the subframe just sums up your restoration project; it looks brand new! One Prelude I would really love to see when it is back on the road again.

[wurlycorner]

For no good reason I can think of, I also cleaned all the plastic clips and rubbers